Male urinary device



Juiy M, 3970 R. D. DAVIS MALE URiNARY DEVICE Filed April 24, 1967 INVENTOK RAY D. DAVFS ;mw:rmww ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,520,305 MALE URINARY DEVICE Ray D. Davis, 174 Pepper Drive, Los Altos, Calif. 94022 Filed Apr. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 633,133 Int. Cl. A61f 5/44 US. Cl. 128-295 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A male urinary device having a pair of tubular members with a first member presenting a bowl and the second member presenting a sheath. The first member has an inclined end surface to which an end portion of the second member is bonded. The thickness of the end portion of the second member is greater than the thickness of the second member at a location disposed outwardly of the first member.

This invention relates to improvements in urinal devices of the type worn on the body and, more particularly, to an improved urinary device to be worn on the male urinary organ.

The present invention resides in a device of the type described which is comprised of a pair of tubes formed of a moldable, non-toxic, stretchable material. The tubes are disposed in end-to-end relationship and one of the tubes is relatively rigid and is adapted to be connected at its free end to a fluid receptacle. The other tube defines a lightweight sheath which can initially be rolled up into a ring in the same manner as a conventional prophylactic. It is relatively flexible and is adapted to be quickly placed on the male organ by unrolling it and, if desired, can be held in place by a single loop of stretch tape. The non-toxic material forming the tube prevents harmful skin rashes and the like which ordinarily result when toxic materials, such as latex, contact the body. To this end, the tubes are formed of a vinyl material inasmuch as vinyl is non-toxic and, furthermore, is extremely stable and has good storage properties at room temperature.

The sheath is sufficiently thin and thereby flexible and lightweight to provide comfort to the wearer and to facilitate placing it in use or removing it. The stretchability of the sheath and the presence of the stretch tape, if used, assure that offensive odors are substantially sealed in the sheath at all times during use of the device. Moreover, the sheath is suificiently stretchable so that it will accommodate an erection of the male organ without causing discomfort and constriction without displacing the sheath from its operative position.

The device of the invention is made in a manner to assure a strong bond between the rigid tube and the sheath. The method of making the device includes adding a layer of the stretchable material to the outer surface of the rigid member and continuing this layer beyond the rigid memher to form the sheath. This method and the material used to form the device minimize production costs so that the device can have a retail price low enough to make it economical for a user to replace the devices frequently. Thus, the user avoids having to clean and reuse the device.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a urinal device having a relatively rigid bowl member and comparatively thin, stretchable sheath member in which the bowl and sheath are bonded together at the peripheral extremity of the bowl in such a manner as to impart a strength at the juncture between the sheath and bowl which is stronger than the forces required to break or tear the thin sheath material.

To obtain such a bonding effect, the rigid bowl member is first molded with the bowl extending in an upward position. Then, the bowl member is inverted and the fluid plastic material forming the sheath is applied to the outer surface of the bowl and is allowed to gravitate from the tube end of the bowl along the outer surface of the bowl and then downwardly therefrom to form the sheath. The bowl has an annular, inwardly extending lip which permits the gravitating material to flow both downwardly and inwardly so that, when the material sets, the wall thickness at the juncture of the sheath and the bowl will be greater than the thickness of the sheath itself. This feature strengthens the bond at this juncture and prevents breaking or tearing of the device when it is being used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a urinal device of the type described wherein the bowl member has a tubular extension provided with a tapered inner bore so as to accommodate connector hoses of varying cross sections and yet which will prevent the hose from travelling through the tube and into the bowl portion of the bowl member. Accordingly, the bore of the tubular extension is provided with an interior taper dimensioned at the bowl vicinity with a cross section smaller than the smallest commercially available hose used for this purpose, and at its opposite end with a cross section wide enough to admit an adapter hose of the greatest cross section.

In the past, several urinal devices somewhat similar to the type described have been made commercially available. One such device, known by the trademark Uro- Sheath and manufactured by C. R. Bard, Inc., Murray Hill, NJ. is adapted to be reused and employs a relatively rigid bowl member together with a relatively thick sheath member. The device is not made of non-toxic material and is held in place by an adjustable strap which, if too tightly applied, can cause edema as a result of constriction. Because of the non-stretchable characteristics of the sheath and the thickness of the sheath material, the device is uncomfortable to the wearer. In addition, reusable devices such as the one above described are expensive, not only at the point of initial purchase, but also in the care and handling necessarily required. For example, when the device is used in hospitals it is extremely important that, after use, each device must be carefully marked and identified with the patient, then cleaned and sterilized and finally put back on the patient or stored for future use. It is important that a patient is not supplied with a device which has been used by another patient because of possible contamination.

A device according to the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the Uro-Sheath construction in the provision of the extremely thin, stretchable, non-toxic vinyl sheath, and the elimination of the constricting or strangulating adjustable strap. In addition, the interior of the bowl portion of the bowl member is textured, thereby avoiding the discomforture of the slick interior of the bowl of the prior art device. Still further, since the present invention involves a minimal amount of materials and is manufactured at extremely low cost, it is a disposable unit and overcomes the costs of handling necessarily attendant to the reusable device.

Another prior art device which has been commercially available and one which is somewhat similar to the present invention, also involves a bowl member integral with a roll-up sheath member. However, this device, which is made of either latex or rubber, has no non-toxic qualities, has a slick bowl interior, and is not tapered in the manner of the present invention on the interior of the tubular member. More importantly, however, it is subject to tear and breakage at the point of juncture of the rigid member and sheath because the wall of the sheath at the point of juncture is of lesser thickness than the thickness of the sheath. The latter mentioned prior art device is the product of a curing method which is distinguished from the curing method employed by the present invention and which assists in the formation of the applicants strong bond. Applicants method is described hereinafter but, generally speaking, involves hot atmosphere oven curing.

Despite the availability of the foregoing commercial prior art devices, it has long been the practice of many hospitals to provide a urinal device which is handmade by modifying the conventional latex prophylactic and securing a rubber tube by means of an elastic band to the lower end thereof. This device, while it satisfies certain requisites regarding the sheath, is extremely uncomfortable because the rubber tube necessarily projects into the sheath. In addition, such a device is objectionable because the parts are subject to separation from each other so as to cause leakage.

It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a male urinary device which is non-toxic and stretchable and whose sheath portion is substantially form fitting so that the comfort of the wearer is assured while a positive seal is provided at all times.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a method for making the device of the type described wherein the sheath and rigid tube portions of the device are molded together as a unit to form a strong bond therebetween to assure that the portions will not pull apart and thereby cause the device to be opened during use.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the device, partly in section, when the device is normally in use;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the device with the sheath member in rolled form for storage or packaging; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing the bond between the bowl and sheath members.

The device of the invention, shown in FIG. 1 and denoted by the numeral 10, includes a first relatively rigid, tubular, bowl member 12 and a second relatively flexible, tubular, sheath member 14 secured to member 12 in end-to-end relationship. Member 12 has a bowl 18 at one end and an elongate end portion 16 provided with a tapered inner bore which decreases in cross section as bowl 18 is approached. To provide the taper, the thickness of the continuous wall of member 12 progressively increases toward the bowl.

The bowl has a continuous, uniform side wall which progressively decreases in cross section as its outer extremity is approached to define an annular lip 20 having an inclined surface 20d. The sheath member is molded to the lip and the bond therebetween has sufficient strength to prevent separation of the tubular members during normal use. As shown in FIG. 4, the lip is formed of three layers 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each layer has an extremity disposed to define a portion of surface 20d. Sheath member 14 forms a fourth layer denoted by 14a which is bonded to layer 200 and to surface 20a. The

inclination of surface 20d assures a greater bonding area and thereby increased strength so as to provide for greater resistance against separation of members 12 and 14. The sheath member tapers away from the lip so that its wall thickness adjacent to lip 20 is greater than its wall thickness remote from the lip.

The inner face 22 of cup 18 is relatively soft and has a velvet texture. To this end, face 22 is stippled to provide it with a slightly spongy character. This .feature gives comfort to the wearer as device is put on and as it is being used.

The continuous side wall of sheath member 14 is extremely thin yet it has sufficient strength to permit it to be form fitting during use. Also, it has sufficient strength to allow for expansion, such as occurs during an erection without placing stresses on the sheath member which might cause tearing or breaking of the sheath. Its flexibility is sufliciently great to allow it to be rolled into the condition shown in FIG. 3 wherein a ring 24 is formed adjacent to lip 20. This is advantageous where device 10 is to be stored or packaged and it is desired that it occupy a minimum of space. A tear ring 26 is provided on the outer end of the sheath member to prevent tearing at this end as well as to facilitate the rolling of the same into the form ring 24.

Members 12 and 14 are formed of a non-toxic, stretchable, thermoplastic material. Vinyl is suitable for this purpose since it is resilient in sheet form. It is also extremely stable and has good storage properties at room temperature. It is easily moldable and is relatively inexpensive so that device 10 can be made in volume at relatively low cost so that it can be sold at a low retail price. This low cost feature allows the consumer to replace the devices at frequent intervals to prevent infection and irritation which could arise from prolonged use. This is extremely important for paraplegics and others who have no control over their urinary system and must be provided with a device of this type at all times. In addition to the foregoing advantages, vinyl can be molded in a thin film so that the wall of thickness of sheath member 14 can be extremely small yet the sheath will be properly bonded to member 12 and remain so at all times during use.

Device 10 is made by series of dipping and heating steps, each dipping step to be followed by a heating step for curing the material. The thermoplastic is heated until it is in a flowable condition suitable for forming members 12 and 14 by dipping. A number of dipping and heating steps are performed to form layers 20a, 20b and 200, with the layers being bonded to each other. The setting of the material is preferably done by hot atmosphere oven curing and the stripping of the inner face 22 of bowl 18 is accomplished by first sandblasting the mold for the bowl so as to form tiny pits in it. Then the mold operation is performed and the pits form tiny projections on the inner face of the bowl to provide the desired texture therefor.

To form inclined surface 20d, the dipping operation is performed so that layer 20b has its lip extremity spaced from the corresponding extremity of layer 20a. Similarly, the extremity of layer 200 is spaced from the extremity of layer 2012. In this way, surface 20d is formed.

To form sheath member 14, a final dipping step is performed. To accomplish this, member 12 is placed on the lower end of a male mold with the proximal end of the mold complementally received within bowl 18. Member 12 and the mold are then dipped and then inverted so that layer 14a is formed which includes the sheath member portion extending outwardly from lip 20. By inverting these components, the flowable thermoplastic material gravitates along the outer surface of layer 200, along surface 20d, and downwardly from the last mentioned surface. The thickness of layer 14a adjacent to surface 20d is relatively thick because of the inclination of this surface. Thus, the increased thickness will provide relatively high strength for preventing any tendency for members 12 and 14 to separate.

An important structural feature resulting from the practice of the foregoing method is that the bowl is uniform in size and shape. This uniformity assures a more positive bond between member 12 and the sheath member so that any tendency to tear in this area is substantially eliminated. v

To attain the desired flexibility and lightweight character of the sheath member, it has been found that its wall thickness should be approximately .003 inch. Member 12 is desirably of the order of .050 inch in average thickness to minimize the weight of the device and still provide for a simple connection to a receptacle.

In use, device is quickly and easily rolled into place on the male organ. A length of stretch tape can then be applied at the outer end of the sheath to hold it in place, if desired. This length is to be slightly less than the circumference of the sheath so that strangulation will not occur during an erection.

To remove the device, it can be pulled until it is clear of the male organ, whereupon another device 10 can be put into place in the foregoing manner.

While one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A urinal device comprising: a tubular bowl member and a sheath member bonded together in end-to-end relationship and formed of non-toxic, impermeable material, said bowl member having a bowl at the end thereof bonded to said sheath member and an elongate portion of reduced cross section at the other end thereof, said elongate portion adapted to be coupled to a fiuid receptacle, said sheath member having a membranous softness, a stretcha'bility, and a resilience to permit it to be moved from a rolled condition forming a ring disposed adjacent said bowl to an unrolled condition extending out wardly from the bowl, said sheath member being generally form-fitting when extended and to remain formfitting upon expansion and contraction of an expandable member unsheathed thereby, said bowl member having an annular, inwardly extending end surface, said sheath member being integral with said end surface and with the major portion of said bowl member, the thickness of the portion of the sheath member adjacent to said end surface being thicker than the sheath member portion disposed outwardly of said end surface.

2. A urinal device comprising: a tubular bowl memher and a sheath member bonded together in end-to-end relationship and formed of nontoxic, impermeable, thermoplastic material, said bowl member having a bowl at the end thereof bonded to said sheath member and elongate portion of reduced cross section at the other end thereof, said elongate portion adapted to be coupled to a fluid receptacle, said sheath member having a membranons softness, a stretchability, and a resilience to permit it to be moved from a rolled condition forming a ring disposed adjacent to said bowl to an unrolled condition extended outwardly from the bowl, said bowl having an inwardly extending annular outer surface at its outer extremity, said sheath member having an end portion bonded to said outer surface with said end portion having a greater thickness than that of the major portion of said sheath member.

3. A urinal device according to claim 2, wherein said elongated portion has a tapered inner base decreasing in cross section as the bowl is approached, whereby said end portion will admit hoses of varying diameter, the smallest cross section of the bore being sufiicient to prevent entry of a hose into the bowl.

4. A urinal device according to claim 2, and in which said members are formed from vinyl plastic.

5. A urinal device according to claim 1, and wherein the inner surface of said bowl is stippled.

6. A urinary device comprising: a first relatively rigid tubular member having a bowl at one end and a conical inner surface extending toward its opposite end, the diameter of said inner surface increasing as said opposite end is approached, said bowl having an annular lip at its outer periphery and provided with a relatively soft inner face, said lip having an inclined outer surface, said first member adapted to receive conduit structure at said 0pposite end thereof for connecting the device to a receptacle; and a second, relatively flexible, tubular member having a generally uniform, predetermined thickness throughout the major portion of its length, said second member having an end portion integral with and extending along said outer surface of said lip and tapering away therefrom, said second member being of sufficient flexibility to permit it to be rolled into the form of a ring and to remain in said ring form until the device is put into use, said members being formed from a vinyl material and forming a one-piece construction with said end portion having a thickness adjacent to said lip greater than the thickness of said major portion of the second member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,371,883 3/1945 Gammeter et a1. 128294 X 2,789,560 4/1957 Weimer 128- 295 3,369,546 2/1968 Hickok 128-295 3,394,703 7/1968 Orgel l28-295 3,398,745 8/1968 Tjerneld et al. 128295 3,401,697 9/1968 Lefley et al 128-295 CHARLES F. ROSENBAUM, Primary Examiner 

